Difference Between Minestrone and Pasta Soup?

Since the most popular pasta dishes are those served with thick sauces, many make the mistake of thinking that minestrone is a type of pasta dish. While Italian minestrone is a way of serving pasta as a pasta soup dish, pasta soup on the other hand, is the more general term for veggie-based broth with boiled penne or farfalle.

Since the most popular pasta dishes are those served with thick sauces, many make the mistake of thinking that minestrone is a type of pasta dish. While Italian minestrone is a way of serving pasta as a pasta soup dish, pasta soup on the other hand, is the more general term for veggie-based broth with boiled penne or farfalle.          

The Italian Minestrone

The italian minestrone is actually the original pasta soup. The theory is that some Italian cooks sometimes had too much leftover sauce but with very little pasta, Since it is important for the pasta sauce to be consumed as soon as possible, more broth was added to the sauce to transform the thick tomato-based mixture into soup. To make the concoction more savory and flavorful, more vegetables and meat were added. . 

The few whole-wheat pasta that was available was boiled but cooked al-dente, which means taking the pasta strands out of the boiling water before they lose their firmness. The tradition is to add small portions of the al dente pasta to individual bowls of minestrone soup when about to be served.  

Pasta Soup

A pasta soup dish is a variation of the minestrone but more of a dish on its own and made different by using penne or farfalle and without having to worry if the pasta is not al dente. Boil the pasta separately but add some of the pasta water to the broth give the vegetable soup thicker and cloudier consistency. 

Pasta soup is regarded as healthier alternative because most recipes do not call for high-protein ingredients like cheese and meat. Vegetables vary but often include, beans, carrots, corn, tomatoes, garlic and onion, seasoned with parsley, oregano, salt and ground pepper. The boiled pasta is added to the broth when the vegetables are already cooked and ready to be served with crusty bread.       

 

Read MoreRead More